Abstract The Dan Andries Collection is a collection of 16mm and 8mm films, some of which were produced by Fred Niemann Productions and sponsored by the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Dan Andries found this collection of mid-20th century films outside of the radio station WFMT, the likely previous home of these films. Alongside these films were labels and shot lists suggesting the films’ content as prohibition melodrama, various depictions of urban life, shoreline vistas, and even some footage shot outside Illinois: Florida, California, Alaska.

Creator

Fred Niemann Productions (created by)Fred Niemann Productions was a Chicago based industrial film producer. Their eponymous founder, Fred Stepina Niemann, made a singular Warner Brothers' animated film with Frank Tashlin and returned to Chicago producing films, e.g. "Skid Row," "The Vicious Circle," "Behind the Skyscraper," and "The Choice is Yours," some of which were sponsered by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Custodial HistoryThese films were found in a dumpster near WFMT by Dan Andries. They are believed to have been stored at the radio station beforehand.

Access Restrictions This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only video copies will be provided for on-site viewing.